Veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar treated for pneumonia

Dilip Kumar's fans had a major scare when around two weeks ago, it came to light that he was down with bronchial pneumonia.

Above all, he "single-handedly refined histrionics" and refined acting "to an art form of exalted brilliance", says his wife Saira Banu in her introduction to his memoirs "Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow". She said, "3/n Every year on Saab's birthday our house is open all day for friends and family to come and spend quality time with Dilip Saab".

Today is incidentally the 95 birthday of Dilip Kumar and on this occasion, Saira Banu posted a series of tweets from the superstar's Twitter account. That is why the celebration will be a "bit restricted". When Ashok [Kumar] uncle was unwell in Chembur, sahab made it a point, despite his busy schedule, to visit him, sit next to him, entertain with him laughter and old memories.

We wish Dilip Kumar a very happy birthday and we hope he continues to live for many more years. "Then we will have a birthday cake", Banu says in an interview with PTI.

Dilip Kumar also symbolised newly-independent India in all its diversity and promise of a bright future, showcased in films like "Naya Daur" (1957), as Lord Meghnad Desai argues in "Nehru's Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of India" (2004).

"Dilip Sahab is fond of good and simple clothes".

"Every year I order things of his choice". The actress said she told him that millions of his fans are praying for him and that is when he smiled. He doesn't like expensive gifts.

Born as Muhammad Yousuf Khan in Peshawar, (now in Pakistan), Kumar was touted as the "ultimate method actor" by Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray.

However, the veteran actor's health is now much better, confirmed the family friend via social media. Pls remember him in your prayers and duas.

Earlier in August 2017, the actor was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital due to dehydration and urinary tract infection but later his health condition improved and he was taken back to his residence.